XD and M&P --- Full-size vs. Compacts

[Quoheleth]

I recently sold my Rock Island Compact and want to replace it with a new-to-me .45 Auto. I love the 1911 platform, but I sold it because the gun's weight was just too much *for me* to carry comfortably. I'm thinking about replacing my 1911 with either a full-size (i.e., the RIA Tactical) which will be strictly range use or a poly-framed gun that will see some concealed carry use. If I go poly, I'm thinking about either the M&P or XD in .45.

This isn't an XD vs M&P question, but full-size vs compact thread.

I wonder if I could impose on those of you who have both the full-size and compact XD, what you think of the CCW benefits of the compact vs the full-size. Looking at the numbers on the manufacturer's websites, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of difference between the two frames.

In the M&P lineup, the compact is 1 oz lighter, a half-inch less oal and a half-inch shorter. That's not much at all.
Likewise, in the XD lineup, there's just an ounce and about 1/2" height difference between the two. The XD has the same OAL.

Is that 1/2" difference on the grip size noticable when it comes to carry, as far as printing? I know - a lot depends on how I dress, where I carry, etc. - but as a whole, does that 1/2" shorter grip really help?

Q

 

[IlikeSA]

Every bit helps when it comes to grips. I have the SC model of the XD, and while it is stubby, it feels wide because it is double-stacked. I rarely carry it because my 1911 feels much more concealed and concealable. When I do carry the XD though, I use the shortened mag in it and carry the longer mag as a reload, which is also difficult because of it's width as well. Just some thoughts.

 

[Narwhal]

I like my M&P 40 compact and sometimes shoot it in IDPA, since it's what I carry in the summer. My overall scores are usually about 5% worse with the 3.5" compact vs using a 5" gun. My recovery time between shots is a tad longer but most of the difference comes in accuracy, I drop more shots out of the A-zone with the compact. I still get hits, they're just not quite as fast or precise. Also, reloads seem to take slightly longer because your grip hand can get in the way on the small ones. To me, the tradeoff for additional concealablity is worth it in the summer. When it's cold enough for a jacket I will carry a 4.25" full size without worrying about printing. I typically use my 5" m&p's for competition.

The compact does noticeably reduce printing with just shorts and a t-shirt, especially since I don't use the thumb extension. I still find the compact a pleasure to shoot.

Also remember, that most of the weight savings comes from having less ammo in the smaller magazines of the compact guns. I still keep a full sized mag reload in the pocket while carrying the compact (with an x-grip space) so the loss of firepower is only ~15%.

 

[btg3]

9mm M&P compact is what I used for CC & IDPA for a few years before getting the full size, as well..

1. For carry IWB, the compact's shorter barrel does not dig into the hip like the full size. OWB is a toss up.
2. Reloading is indeed easier with full size mags.
3. Both gun can use full size mags. Get a couple of X-grip mag sleeves for the compact. I love the way the X-grip contour fits my hand.
4. 9mm compact (and .45?) is not as whippy as the .40, and I do not perceive much, if any, difference in follow up shots.

So, the best of both may be had using a compact with full size mags. (FYI, I've seen ads for the XD compact that comes with a full size mag.)

 

[DEAHEAT]

I just got a m&p 9mm compact and i love how you can turn it into a full size pretty much with a few mods. Also you can get a full size ported barrel thats worth every penny. You won't be disappointed with the M&P line. Everyone who owns one has tried Glock, Sig, H&K, Colt, Ruger, etc. Its like if Glock and H&K had a baby it was the M&P. You can figure out what you want from the factory such as magazine safety, thumb safety, no safety. To my knowledge you can't do that with about 4/5 of the brand names i just said. Also Glock and a few other companies are catching on to the whole interchangeable grips and customizing a gun to your needs.

Every full size gun i have got i have regretted just because the fact that it can't be carried! Whats that saying a gun left at home is ?

 

[jon_in_wv]

I have a M&P 9C, the M&P 9, and a XD Service 45. The M&P 9c is a WORLD easier to conceal than the full sized guns yet it is still very easy to shoot. I shoot more accurately and quicker with my M&P 9C than I do with my XD 45. The extra grip of the fullsized weapons would be nice if I was competing but the for what you give up in concealability the difference is slight.

 

[samurai]

I have both the 9c and 9fs and there is a big difference carrying IWB , no so much OWB.

 

[CDH]

I have both the 4" XD45 and the XD9mmCompact.

Neither is a perfect carry piece because of the thickness of the slides.
But that's just me, and some can carry them concealed just fine.

The XD9mmCompact is, however, a very small package when worn with the smaller magazine, and would serve you as well as any double-stack being as it appears to me to be more compact (slimmer) than other double-stacks I have.

As a disclaimer, however, I should admit that my every-day carry piece is a Rohrbaugh 9mm because I'd rather be carrying 6 than leaving 15 at home.
That said, when cooler weather clothing allows, I will often carry the XD9mmCompact, but at those easily concealable times wearing a jacket and/or sweater, I've also carried a Commander or the XD45.

Concealed carry changes with how you dress, and that's why I personally don't believe that there is just one "best" concealed carry weapon or scenario.

As a side note, a friend of mine carries his XD9mmCompact in his front pocket all the time with a shirt over it. You can see the "bulge", but no one would think it's anything but a cell phone, and he's never been asked about it even when he's walked into "no carry" areas.

 

[ejfalvo]

I have an XD45C and an XD40SC. The 45C is IMHO too big to CCW. I carry the 40SC IWB during the cooler months - while its "fat" due to the double stack, it will hide well under a shirt or sweater. I carry it with the short mag. The 45C is the HD firearm.

I'm planning on purchasing a KAHR CW40 (or PM40) for summer CCW.

 

[Jackal1]

I have the XD45c with both full size and compact magazines. I also have the XD9sc which is smaller than the XD45c.

For concealed carrying the grip size is typically more important than the barrel length. I always carry IWB with the compact magazine and use other compact magazines for my backup mags. I like to keep my backups magazines the same as what is in my carry gun.

I save the full size mags for when I am backpacking or other situations where concealed carrying does not matter.

I have carried the XD45c with the compact mag in a Cell-Pal holster (don't laugh) and had it not be found during a frisk. That being said, I was carrying legally and was being illegally frisked...

In my opinion the XD and M&P guns are both pretty blocky in shape, so the smaller the gun the better you'll be able to conceal carry. Although I prefer the XD45c, I honestly usually end up carrying the XD9sc (probably 90% of the time).

Cheers

 

[DEAHEAT]

As a side note, a friend of mine carries his XD9mmCompact in his front pocket all the time with a shirt over it. You can see the "bulge", but no one would think it's anything but a cell phone, and he's never been asked about it even when he's walked into "no carry" areas.

Yeah i always get that bulge unless i'm wearing a XL and the shirt is just draped over it completely. Compact is the way to go all the way! I won't carry anything over 24-25 ounces unloaded. I see alot of people packing full size 1911's and some heavy j frames along with those good old Sigs! Put it this way 90% i'm not going to be shooting my gun so do i really care what its made out of? Hell no i'm carrying it everyday and its heavy enough carrying around 13 rounds of 124 grain. If your going to carry a full size just take this with you. If you have any problems just handle them like Tony shooting through the walls and all that good stuff.

That being said what in your right mind would give you the cause to carry a full size? I want some reasons 1-5!

Compact = Carry

Full size = Car Carry / Home Defense / Range gun

In my opinion the XD and M&P guns are both pretty blocky in shape, so the smaller the gun the better you'll be able to conceal carry. Although I prefer the XD45c, I honestly usually end up carrying the XD9sc (probably 90% of the time).

Yeah i was going to get the Para PDA 9mm because the slide is so much thinner then a Glock or XD or M&P. Ended up not being worth the 1,000 bucks then again i really don't feel the quality on my M&P like i would a Sig Pro that was made in Germany. I was looking at getting a SP2022 and got the M&P just because of shear size you cant carry a full size.

 

[IlikeSA]

Check out the new XDm compact in 9. I am pretty sure they will come out with the other calibers soon. It has the subcompact frame mated with the compact slide, so you get the option of an even smaller grip which can be enlarged by a different mag but the long(er) sight radius of the compact. When it comes out in 45 it would definitely be worth looking at.

 

[pistolpacker]

IMO theres a huge difference between carrying a full-sized or compact around all day. I own an XDM .40 and the new XDM compact 9. While on paper the difference in size between the two is not all that impressive, I find a huge difference when packing all day long. The compact is much more pleasant to carry and conceal. Living in the desert we have a long hot summer and trying to conceal a full-size is a real chore and not real comfortable either. IMHO height is always harder to deal with and conceal than length is when carrying concealed. Ive noticed that a good percentage of people buy their first ccw to large for comfortable everyday carry and after the new factor wears off they inevitably leave it at home or purchase a new smaller pistol for packing.
Good Luck